This site uses cookies to store information on your computer, to improve your experience. One of the cookies this site uses is essential for parts of the site to operate and has already been set. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but parts of the site will not work. To find out more about the cookies this site uses and how to delete them, please see the privacy notice.

Alcohol - sensible drinking

Lots of adults enjoy drinking alcohol from time to time, but drinking too much can be very damaging to your short and long term health. It’s important to understand how alcohol can affect our health and well being, and know how much it is safe to drink.

There is no guaranteed safe level of drinking, but if you drink less than the recommended daily limits, the risks of damaging your health are low.

The effects of alcohol on your health will depend on how much you drink; the more you drink, the greater the health risks.

Official guidelines recommend that men shouldn’t regularly drink more than three to four units a day and women shouldn’t regularly drink more than two to three units a day because of the harm this may cause.

Guidelines also state that you should have at least two alcohol-free days each week, and recommend that after an episode of heavy drinking, it’s advisable to refrain from drinking for 48 hours to allow the tissues in your body to recover.

Most people will be fine if they drink within the sensible limits for regular drinking, but for some people, drinking gradually gets out of control.

Psychological and physical dependence on alcohol can creep up on you, especially if you drink excessively on a regular basis.

Tolerance can gradually increase, meaning that you need more alcohol to reach the same state. In other words, if you feel that you are getting better at holding your drink that could be a sign of a developing problem.

There are strict laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol in the UK.

The government website - GOV.UK - offers clear guidance on issues relating to drinking and young people, drink driving and drinking in public. A blood alcohol content calculator is also available which assists in working out when a person is 'alcohol free'.

Step Forward

Step Forward is based at 189-195 High Street, Scunthorpe. It is a non-judgmental, recovery-focused service which will work with people using drugs or alcohol. Services offered include assessment advice, information, needle exchange, health, harm reduction advice and treatment and support.

DELTA provides outreach services for children and young people aged up to 19 affected by their own, or their parent's, drug or alcohol use. It offers telephone support, home visits and individual counselling as well as advice and information on alcohol and related issues.